Clam-shell bucket.



I.. J. BATT. GLAM'SHBLL BUCKET. APPLIOATION FILED ABIL-7, 1909.

Patented May 19, 1914.

LEIVIUEL J'. HATI, 0F ST.

LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T FRANK P. BOYD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CLAMsHELi; BUCKET.

Specification of Letters Fatent. Patented fay 19 19] 4 .Application filed April 7, 1909. Serial No. 488,508.

To of] (0.7mm. 'twmj/ concern Be it known that l, Lniuuni. J llivr'i, a

In". .1mi e f, in. i isa. i eran peispeetne in. oL one o the bottom cutting-edges or plaies for the trays; Figi'. 5 is a detail view of one of the side cutting-edges or plates for the trays; Fig. G is a top .plan view of the top center casting or sui'iportinir head, showing the upper sheaves cr pulleys therein and the load-cable Guiding sheaves; Fig. 'l is a view, slightly enlarged and partly 'in side elevation and pai tly in section, showing the guid- .f

ing-plates or sheave-casing for Athe upper sheaves or pulleys; 8 isa perspective view of the guide-piece for the load-cable; F 9 is a top plan'view of the lower center casting, showing;v the lower sheaves or pulleys therein; Iiig'. 10 is a vertical sectional view through the center of the casting and sheaves shown .in Fig. 9; Fig. ll is a diagrammatic plan view showing an arrangement of carriage and operating cables for my lnicket; and Fig. 12is a side elevational,view'of the parte shown in Fig. 11.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in clam-shell buckets, the objects of my invention being to provide a bucket of the kind stated which will be strong, powerful: and of great elliciency, which may be operated at higlrspeed and in which the trays or ljaws may be quickly opened and closed, and in which the loadcable is preserved and maintained in a good flexible condition and wear thereon and on its coperating sheaves or pulleys is largely redminced-substantially to 'a minimum. and to improve generally upon buckets of the kind described. i

Vith these objects in view, my invention consists in the novel construction of the several part-s or" my bucket and in thev novel arrangement and combination of the same,

ail as: vwill hereinafter be described. and afterward pointed outl in the claims.

As, shown in the( drawings, my new bucket comprises two sections or trays 1 and 2, which yare preferably built-up structures. Each of these trays comprises i\ bottoni-plate 3' having' an upturned end portion 11, the side edges or marginal portions of the plates and 5t beine` llang'edinwardly, as at 5 and .(3, respectively. Flanges 5 and 6 are pertorated to receive securing-rivets 7 by which side plates 8 of the trays are securedl to said llanged portions 5 and G, the side-plates :S being also provided with registering openings or perioiat'ionsi'or the said rivets '7. To increase the digging etliciency of the trays and also thecarrying capacity thereof, and as shown particularly in Fig. l, the bottomplate 23 oi each tray is preferably inclined downwardly ifrom its outer'end inwardly -and the side-plates 8 are .wider at their innerlends than at their outer ends.

Secured to the upper portions of side. plates 8 by a series of rivets 9 are eXtensionplates or arms 10, whose upper ends are pi votally mounted on studs or bolts 11 ar'- lranged on what I term the lower center casting),- or frame 12, Extensions or arms 'of the said side-plates 8 are preferably reinforced by angle-braces 13, which areriveted along their outer edges, see particularly Figs. 1 and 3, by a series of rivets I11. Preferably the stiiiieningbraces 13 extend along nearly the entire length of the outer edges of said extensions or arms 10 and are curved at their lower ends to eX- tend along and reinforce the upper `edges otV the `respective side-plates?, of said trays. Stiifeiiiiig-1ilates 15, which extend crosswi'se at the upper, outer edges ofsaid extensions or arms 10, may also be provided, the plates 15 being riveted to'the flange of ghe stiif'fening-braces 13, as shown particular y in Figs. land 3. A

At the inner edge portions of 'the trays land Q are secured bottom 'cutting-plates or edges 16, .which have upturned side-por.

tions 17 which fit against the side-plates 8 and to whichv they are riveted -by riVetslS. This cutting-member 16 is provided with a beveled cutting-edge portionv 19. and is preferably recessed so Aasn-to VformVV shoulders 20,YY which are adapted to abut aga-inst the front edges of the bottom and side-plates 3 and 8, respectively; The side-portions' 17 of this cutting fmember 16 'do not extend up the entire face 'of the side-plates 8, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3,' separate sides ico roe

portions ,vliieli torni adders similar to said.- lioi ilders 2li ol' sau ruttiiig-iiieinher lli. the plates Lil benin; also adapted to 'ne seruied in position h y suitable rivets. [is is obvious. should these riitline'eneinbms become ivorn by use, new euitingdneinoei's may he easily and readily substituted therefor.

it the ripper rear portion oil each' tray are secured lugs or s 25, which are perforated to receive suitable pivot holts or pins upon u'hieh the lower ends of links or bars /t are pivotally mounted. wreerahly each trayseetiou provided 'ith tivo pairs of these liiilis or bars, whose ioiver ends spread apart or diverge, substantially shown in Fig'. 2, the upper ends thereot1 beine; brought together and pivotally mounted or secured on bolts 'or 27 secured in lugs or ears l? termed upon What- 'terni the upper center casting or supporting;- head 29. rthe resting or head is provided.. as shown particularly in (l, ivith vertical hores il() at looth ends,'and intliese bores are suitably fastened depending guide-inem.- bei's, preferably rods, 3l, said rods 3l being; secured in said bores in any suitable manner, preferably by means of collars 32 onli-lie,A upper 'ends thereof and adapted to abut ati'a'inst the top ot said casting 29 and die pins 32" through said eastingl and said rods. The rods 3l extend doivnwarc ly in parallel relation for a suitable distax ee between the respective links QG mnnretiii` the respective trays il and 2 to said Casting or head 29 and have on their lovver ends heads or Collars ,ivhieh eollars 33 are. adapted to limit the lowermost position of the lower casting l2, the casting l2 being provided with vertically bored pory tions or sleeves 251i, see patieularly Figs. 9 and l0, which are adapted to slidahly fit on said rods Si. 'for purposes more fully hereinafter appearing'.

Casting' or traine preferably a eemparatively heavy box-like reeeptaele having a rounded hotroni 35. in ivliieh receptacle is adapted to be reeeiveil and held a lubrieant vir oil, tor purposes hereinafter more fully set forth, the said Casting being' provided on `its sides with suitable sllllening ribs or Webs il?. in which bosses the pivot studs oi' pins il Jfor the extensions oi' arins l() are iiilieil; Bottoni 35 ot said-easting' lis preferably provided with a threaded opening' iii whieli a threaded plug 35' adapted'to lin, whereby the oil or other lubrioant therein may be'drained theretron vi'heiiever desire-d. I v

lotatably mounted on a shaft iid. which shaft is tixedly mounted in the sines, and

fili and u'itli bosses sie extends across the center portion, of Castili l2, we. particularly llli. 9, iS P, Series independent l`e'rooved pulleys or sheaves 39, if, and 30. :i sheave-easing comprising a plurality oil walls or plates l0 suitably bored lo aeeouiinodate and provide a bearing centrally, so to speak, for said shait 38, is preferably seeured ivitliin said Casting or traine if. said plaies iur-walls being between the .said respective pulleys and between the outermost pulleys and the sides oit said casting or traine, .vliereby the load-Cable L is guided Within said frame and prevented from slipping' out of the grooves of said i'espeetive pulleys. As slioivn particularly in and 10, the innermost plates 40 are preferably flanged outivardly and Suitably eo'nneetei'l at their ends to end-plates -l-l, toi-innig' divisions in said 'using Within .vhieli said respective sheaves are mounted, as stated. Said end-plaies 4l ,are also hinged ouiiviirdly at their ends.r as at 42, and perforated to receive bolts," or rivets 43, these rivets -l also passino' ilu'ofigli outer niost plates i() and traine whereby said easing' is secured iii place.

The uiiddle portion 'ot the upper casting; f) is diagonally arranged with respect to the top ot' the lower existing l'. and is provided iviili an elongated opening 44, in which a series of grooved pulleys or sheaves 4:3', and fl-5 are loosely mounted and indei'ieudeiitlv rotatable on u shaft #LG fixedly nioiuited in said tasting or head 29. A sheave-easing soineivhat similar, to the sheaves is also provided in said opening il and aiouiid said upper sheaves. This easing likewise eon'iprises a plurality of Walls or and provide a bearing eentially, 'so to speak, for said shaft lo, the tivo intermediate plates dividingsaid easing into divisions within which said upper sheaves are, rer speetivel'v, arranged and being flanged at their ent and suitably attached or secured io the bent ends of the tivo outermost plates substantially as shown in Fig.. (S, and the ends of said outermost plates being brought together, as ai'. 4S. Where they are riveted or otherwise seeui'ed together and to the side members elli of said :fasting oi' head '39.

Siviv'eled iii vertically bored port-ions 50 at diagonally opposite points on the casting 29 are tubular pullev-supporting members 5l, said members 51 beingl i'yrovided .with Wings in ivhieh :ire journaled oi'ooved pulleys -or idlei's 523: 1i)reterali'ly these tubulin' pulley/supports 51 have collars 54 at their .upper and lower ends, ivhieli servo to prevent hein from moving' endwi'se in the bored portions 50, butv permit the same to rotate freely therein. The. pulleys 523 are arranged iin pairs with their peripheral portions in l elose relation, seo particularly Fig. l5, wheresheaveeasing' provided around said loiver' plates 4T suitably bored to accommodate said upper casting.;` 2) beingprovided for the supporting-cable S for supporting thefbucket and Aholding` the same in its various raised or lowered positions during?,T the use or operation thereof. As shown in Fig. 7, I preferably provide on 4said upper casting Q9 a.'

guide-piece fortlie cable S, whicliuguidepiece 1s adapted to tit between the two intermediate plates 47, these plates extendingv slightly above the two outermost plates of said sheave-.casing or guide-frame. The guide-piece 55 is provided with holes or perforations 5G near both ends thereof,

4which holes are located iii vertical cooperar 'tive relation or alineineiit with the groove .in

the middle sheave ll5 and through which lsaid cable S is adapted to pass. (linde-piece 55 is. also provided with lugs 57, which are 4perforatedlaterally, as at 58, to receive bolts 59 for securing said `guidepiece in position.

In practice, the bucket is usually supported from a carriage 60 movable on a runaway or track 61, the carriage being` operated or lmoved by a cable (32, which is substantially aiiendlessfbelt arrangement operated ironi a suitable drinn in a well-understood inannei. Aand, in practice, the supportiiig-cablc S adapted to be fastened at one end to sonic suitable fixed point preferably on the runway or track (3l, is then passed over a sheave 33. on the carriage G0, then down through one of the openings o() in the guide-Incee 55, thence under slicave 45 in upper casting; 2f), then up through the opposite opening` or hole 5G in said guide-piece 55, over another sheave 6i on said (,:arriage (S0, and then over a suitable idler sheave on the said riunway oi' track (il to a suitable winding; druni in an ordinary manner. Also in practice, the load-cable L is adapted to be. fastened at one end to seine suitable fixed point preferably on the run-way or track- 61, -is then passed over a shcave G6 on thc carriage 60,

then down between one pair of guidepulleys 53, then through the tubular swivel support 51 therefor, then under one ofthe outermost sheaves, say 39, in the lower casting` l2. their up and over the coperating sheave 45 in the upper casting; 29, then down and under sheave 39', thefn up andn over sheave 45 'then down and under sheave 39, then up land through' the tubular swivel support 5l =foL the opposite pair ofv guidepuileys 53, ,then between said last-named pair or guidepulleys 53, then over a sheave 67 on thefcarringe G0, and then over a 'suitable idler sheave on the track or run-way 6l to a ysuitable winding-drum (not shown). The arrangement oi the sheaves 39, 39', 39, 45, and 415 and the winding of the load-cable L thercaround provides substantially a blockand-tackle well adapted for opening and closing the trays of my bucket du-riiig-the useor operation thereof and one which I have found particularly well adapted for such purpose, and while' I have shown and described live sheaves in this block-andtacklc, it is obvious that al gratter or less number of shea-ves might` be employed, as

desired, dependingr upon the weight of the bucket and the loa-d to be carried thereby.

.in operatioii,as is obvious, by means of cable (S2 the carriage (50 may be moved to any position on track or run-way 6l, as desired, while by means of supp0rting-cable S the bucket, with the trays l and 2 either inv closed or open position, depending upon the windingwot the load-cable L on its windingdrum, may be held in various raised er lowered positioiisvrelative tosaid track or ruii' way 61'. ln Figs. l and?, I have shown the trays in closed position, the lower casting l2 with the sheaves 8S), 39, and 59 being in close proximity to upper casting 29 and held .in such position by cableL, cable L being tightly wound upon its winding-drum. To open said trays, cable L is released 0r unwound, when sheaves 39, 39j, and 39 will drop by ,gravity the trays l and 2 opening. This openingis, however, somewhat slow,

and to accelerate the opening of saiditrays.

the casting or frame 12-is made comparatively heavy, t-he weight thereof tending to more' quickly draw said sheaves downwardly and torce said trays into open position; the downward movement of said sheaves and said casting being limited by tlie collars-33 on the lower ends of rods 31,' 'i1poii-\vliich rods said ca sting,`- slides. InFig. the trays are shown in full open position, and in which position,.it will be seen that said,

trays are particularly well adapted for digging` into the sand, gravel, ore, or other material being. operated upon, and the said casting, until the same is drawn upwardly by the winding of cable L upon its windingdruin. tends to keep said trays in this open position. The supporting-.cable S being free to unwind from its iviiidiiig-dr'uiii, so lthat the bucket may bodily drop,my bucketdue partly to the weight of the` trays and the weight of said casting and associated parts, will readily dig' into the sand, gravel, ore, or other materialupon whichthe bucket is being used, 'my bucket being better adapted for such purpose than any other'bucket with which I am familiar. Should theciitting edges 16 or 2l become worn; they 'may be easily replaced, aS -ls pblQuS Willen the casting` l2 with said carried sheaves is upwaiey by the winding of eabie L on windingdrum, the trays 'l and Q Wiii liu'ought to closed nosition, during .this ehising operation said trays readiiy seoopingnp the sand, gravel, ore, or other material being` 'operated upon, the huestes, ivith"said trays in open or closed positen, asbeiiore described..y beingheld in any raised or iol-vered position relative to said arriageby means of said supporting-cable S.- is is 'eor viens and as before stated7 the said earrisge upon which the bucket is mounted 'may be moved to any position ldesired onse-.id riniway or tra-cir 6l by means et seid sable GQ.

in order to preserve nobis L and prevent aii undue weer i'shereoifx and fit-the same time to keep said sheaves 39,: 321, and'`39f Well lubricated, so, that they may freely rotate Aand without'unnecessary friction, fill eastingill with a suitabie lubricant, which not Aonly thoronghiy lubrieates said sheaves, but also, so to speak, permeates said cable, thereby preventing ail 1undue inside outside wear oi`w the strandsI thereof and same iexibie. I' have found that in buckets non' on the market and of nihieh i am aware the inner and outer strands oi the ioad-eable very rapidly Wear, necessitating frequent re newals of. Ithe eabie; in my bucket, however, the life ot the cable is not only increased, but the eabie isfl pt in goed ilexible condi tion and the closing and opening movements ot the trays 'l and 2 are and on the Winding; and nnwhidingl oi said rabie .L on its Winding-drinn. fis obvious hy moving' ping' 35', the east if be drained and Cleaned, Wh and replenished Vith a s brieant, plug 35, of oonrse, eoperatingopeninf in if Casting, By the. sheaves in pper casting diagonaily in cooperative alinemeut `or rehition with the sheaves in the lower oastngthere is l' ing' strain on the Cables t sheet-'es in the i ,per easti vertically in eooperativey ai tion with the sheaves in and in my bucket, through tore described, there Y, iiability oi the Cables signing ont oi grooves oi? the respective shea "hns avoiding. any mineeessary steil-:page ol" the opera tion the bucket and unnecessary wear tear muon the cables and sheaves. sind o nmnntino` the ,enide-pulieys 5S upon supports ,"ree to rotate, not oniy may the bucket/ swing and turn relative to itsy supporting carriage Without disarranging the oper-ninir Cables therefor, but nnneeessary n. ion and emiseduent Wear upon said Cables during sneh twistinn or turning;- ,movements oi the buff-:et are obvisn n'iiere the are arranged "r1 it or relae im.

` ted. By mounting and. arranging `thev keeps the y Leonel? sheaves in the upper and lower castings so 'that the same are independently rotatable,

the ooening and eiosing movements of the trays i and 2 are facilitated; by making said sheaves comparatively heavy. Wide, and iarge, not only is the digging eiicienoy of the bneliei; increased, but the Wear on said sheaves and on ltheir supporting shafts is greatiy reduced.

in 1l and 12, I have shown diagraminatieally, for the purpose oil more fully eX- plaining the use and operation of my bucket, the manner in which I prefer to mount my bucket on a supporting-carriage and to arrange lits operating-Caldes, this arrangement of said cable and 'the mounting of said bucket possessing many obvious` advantages not heretoiifu'e attained; but it is to be undei-stood that my bucket might be mounted and its operatingeables arranged in other Ways, and that many-minor Changes in the Construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my bucket might be.

made and substituted for those herein shown land described without depart-ing` from the nature and spirit o1 my invention.

-iaving thus described my invention, what i claim enddesire to secure by Letters Patent is: y f

l. A. 'bucket oi' the kind described comprising a support-inghead provide cenl ahy -with a diagonally-disposed opening, a set ot sheaves rotatably arranged in said opening, cooperating l'oad-t1'ays,'links pivotaily connected to said head at the ends thereof and te said trays, rods depending from seid head between saidlinks and at a, bofrshaped sheaveffrarne pro A th port-ions iitting on said rods, a ,toi5 sheaves rotatably inounted'sin said nie, said head-sheaves being diagonally disposed in cooperative vertieal'relation 'to iid icramesheaves, arms mounted .on said `treys and ijlivotally connected to said frame,

and desible means adapted to eoperatewith said sets oi: sheaves to open and close; said "is, said frame being adapted to slide; on d rods on the opening and closingoif` said substantially as described.

bucket, of the' kind described coma snpporting-head, sheaves rotatably ted in said head, operating loaddiverging pairs o links pivotally eonneet "d at their opposite ends to saidhead and to said trays, guide-members depending id head, a, shears-frame having porting ou. said guide-members, sheaves ably mounted in said frame, side arms rig V` dly secured to said trays and ravotaliy connected to said frame, brace-members connecting said arms, and iiexible means adapt- )posits ends of said diagonaliydisposed ioo edto cooperate with said head and framemembers on the opening and 'closing of said ing an opening therein, of a sheave casing' trays; substantially as described.

3. A bucket of the kind 'described comprising a supporting-head., sheaves rotatably mounted in said head, coperating loadtiays,.diverging pairs of links pivotally'coniieeted at their lopposite ends -toy said head and tosaid trays, rods depending from said head and having their lower ends free, a.

4. The combination with a supporting-- eable, of a bucket ofthe kind described, the saine comprising a supporting-head provided centrally' with an'enlarged opening, a supporting-sheave, around which said cable is adapted to pass rotatably mounted in said opening, tray-operating sheaves also rotatably mounted in said opening, eoperating load-trays, links pivotally connected to said head at the ends thereof and to said trays, rods dependingin parallel relation from said head at opposite ends of said enlarged opening and between said links, a slieave-frame having portions fitting on said iods,tray

operating sheaves rotatably mounted in said frame, arms on .said trays pivotally connected to said frame, and tlexibleme'aiis Vadapted to cooperate with said tray-operating sheaves to open and close said-trays,l said frame being adapted to slide on said rods on the.

opening and closing of said trays; substan- 'tially as described.`

5. rlhe combination, in a bucket of the kind described, with a supporting-head havarranged within said opening `and secured to said head, bored walls dividing saidcasing and secured at. their ends to the ends of said casing, a shaft mounted in said h ead and passing through said head, easing, and walls, and sheaves rotatably mounted on said shaft within the divisions formed by said walls substantially as described.

6. The combination, in a bucket of the kind ccscribed, with a supporting-head,hav-

ing an opening therein, of a slieave casing arranged within saidopening and secured to said head, said easing comprising side walls and intermediate walls, said side walls being bent at oppositeends and secured together and to said easing and said intermediate walls dividing the space between said side walls and beii'ig secured at theirends to the tatably mounted on saity bent ends of said side walls, a shaft mounted in saidhead and passing through said head and walls, and sheaves rotatably mounted on said shaft wit-hin the divisions foi-ined by said intermediate walls; substantially as described.

7. The combination, in a bucket of they Ikind described, with a supporti:ig-.head hav-` nig an opening` therein, ot a shcave casing ai"anged within said opening and secured to said head, said casing comprising side walls and intermediate walls, said iiitcrine.

diate walls dividing the space between said side walls'iiito'eeiiti'al and outer divisions, a shaft mounted in said head and passing through said walls, a bucket-suppoiting4 sheave rotatably mounted on said shaft within said'eentral division, and tray-operating sheaves rotatably mounted on said shaft within said outer divisions; substan tially as described.

8. The combination, in a bucket of the A kind described, with a supporting-head having an opening therein, of a lsheave-easing arranged within said o )'eiiine and secured to t) C said head, said ,easing comprising side walls and intermediate walls, said intermediate walls dividing the vspace between said side walls into central and outer'divisions, a

shat't mounted in said head and passing through said-headfand walls, albucket-supporting sheave rotatably mounted on-` Saidl shaft within said central division, tray-pei'atinglsheaves rotatably mounted on said shaft within said outersheaves', and a perforated cable-guiding' member secured to said' intermediate walls above said Ybucketsupporting sheave;` substantially as de- 'scribed 9. The lcombination with a bucket of 'the kind described having a lower sheave-frame, of a slieave casing arranged in and secured to said frame, said easing comprising side walls, end walls, and intermediate walls, said side and `end Awalls being secured ltogether' and to said frame Vand said intermediate walls dividing the space between said side wallsy into divisions and: being secured at their ends to saidfendfwalls, a .shaft mount--l ed in'said 'fi-aine and passing through said I side and intermediatewalls;andshe'aves ro- ,'t `witl'iin the di- |nter'niediate walls;

visions formed by saida substantially as deseribed.``

. In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing wrtnesses.

' Lin/'mnt J. HATT.

.Vitnesses JOHN Boi'tn, Siiicrann R. EVANS. 

